JAKARTA - Thousands of people were at the National Monument on Sunday to express solidarity with the Palestinians amid an ongoing conflict in Gaza, the largest public gathering in Indonesia since the Israel-Hamas war broke out.

Dressed in white robes and black-and-white Palestinian scarves, they waved Palestine flags and chanted “God is Great!” and “Free Palestine” as they demanded Israeli forces end their deadly siege of Gaza.

As footage of bombings in Gaza flashed across the screen, Muslim figures took turns to deliver speeches on a stage at the National Monument (Monas) square, calling for, among others, a boycott of Israeli goods and an investigation of Israel hostilities in Gaza at the international court.

“Israeli oppressors, fight, fight, fight!” and “Indonesia defends Palestine!” the demonstrators shouted.

The peaceful rally was organised by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country’s highest Islamic authority. It was supported by the government, as well as Muslim organisations and those of other faiths including Buddhism and Christianity.

Several ministers and politicians including Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, former Jakarta governor and presidential candidate Anies Baswedan and House of Representatives chair Puan Maharani were present.

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[–] roo@lemmy.one 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

They didn't seem to care much when they were the same ASEAN that did nothing to help the people of Myanmar! (Sorry, still butthurt about that).

[–] livus@kbin.social 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

@roo

Indonesia is doing a damn sight more about it than most countries in its diplomacy.
ASEAN has the same problem with China that the West has with the US (i.e a superpower telling us what we can and can't do).
If you want to be "butthurt" about the Rohingya genocide then the top targets of your anger should be the 7 countries that continued to supply weapons and vehicles to the Junta throughout the genocide even after it was made public - Russia, Ukraine, China, North Korea, Israel, India, Philippines.
That said, Indonesia is far from perfect and has a violent colonial occupation of its own going on in West Papua, often called a "slow motion genocide".

[–] roo@lemmy.one -2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

The biggest problem being that no amount of diplomacy will ever matter. ASEAN believing diplomacy will work is either being an accomplice or a joke.

There's nothing said here means anything but business as usual for an ongoing military onslaught in Myanmar.

ASEAN stands in the way of any regional condemnation that means anything actionable to the people of Myanmar. Diplomacy, fuck! What a joke! ASEAN is just a hegemony manager.

[–] redcalcium@lemmy.institute 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What were they supposed to do then? Military invasion?

[–] roo@lemmy.one 0 points 1 year ago

Last I checked, a military coup is being invaded by your own military, and it's not even over yet. Rebels are cast as horrible bush people that keep trying to gain a foothold.

But, that nation was a member of ASEAN. If ASEAN had put together a security force to restore the people to sovereignty I'm pretty sure the only country that would cry foul would be China.

[–] livus@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago

@roo well, even though we're off topic, it's nice to see someone who is passionate about Myanmar for a change.

I've been disappointed in ASEAN over this too I must admit. I'd like them to put more pressure on Singapore (the Tatmadaw's main supplier these days) and even China. Word is China preferred ASSK but their policy seems to be hands off and business as usual.

[–] jedi@lemm.ee 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-rohingya-indonesia-idUSKCN1BH0T6

They did.

[–] roo@lemmy.one -1 points 1 year ago

Did nothing at the ASEAN level though. The whole world waited for ASEAN to undo the coup, but apparently that's not their mission. 50 million people suddenly oppressed by their own military, and ASEAN does nothing?

If ASEAN does nothing it's unlikely the UN or anyone else will step in.